From: Harvey Newstrom (mail@HarveyNewstrom.com)
Date: Wed Jul 25 2001 - 17:12:07 MDT
Amara D. Angelica wrote:
> Is it just me, or does the movie seem like a neo-Luddite propaganda piece:
> Gaians vs. Star Warriors? Interesting timing.
>
I don't think so. It followed an almost spiritual theme that is common in
Japanese anime. However, note that the heroes were scientists while the
antagonist didn't understand the science. Note that the heroes used science
and technology to research and solve the problem. The antagonists wanted to
just blow things up without studying them. Even if you don't believe the
Gaia theory in real life, the story seemed pro-science and pro-technology to
me.
I have a similar theory about the X-files. It is fiction set in a fictional
world. In that world, there are monsters, aliens and government plots. We
see them on the screen, and they are real in the story. Mulder believes the
truth because he researched the facts. Others disbelieve because they
refuse to listen. Therefore, I interpret X-Files as an example of
pro-logical thinking. The investigation finds the truth. They have even
had cases where Mulder specifically disbelieves faked UFO landings, because
the evidence doesn't match what he usually sees at real UFO landing sites.
He is no more irrational for believing in UFOs than Captain Kirk was
irrational for believing in Vulcans. In the story, they are real.
The only problem comes from people who can't tell the difference between
fiction and reality. X-Files is so real, that people might think it is a
true story. Final Fantasy shows scientists supporting spiritual beings in
nature, so people might believe that science really supports these things.
Is that any worse than bad Dr. Who science or Saturday morning cartoons? Do
we want to limit entertainment to factually correct concepts?
I think these shows are totally consistent and rational within their own
setting. The characters rationally use science and investigation to seek
out the truth. In these stories, the truth involves science-fictional
aspects that are unlikely to be the same as real life. I find it hard to
fault a sci-fi show for being nonrealistic.
-- Harvey Newstrom <http://HarveyNewstrom.com> <http://Newstaff.com>
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